Whether you are new to journaling, or perhaps you’ve fallen out of the habit, maybe these tips will help you get started.
#1. Don’t let the “hunt” for the perfect book stop you from starting your journal today. Just pick a blank book… any type, any style. You could even make your own by stapling or sewing a few pages together with a magazine page or cardstock for the cover. The only thing to keep in mind is that if you plan on painting in it, you may want something with thicker pages.
#2. Carry it with you everywhere. Yes, EVERYWHERE! Bring it to work and try sketching something you see on your break. Keep it by your bed at night and write your dreams in it. Frustrated at the mall? Open up your book and start scribbling!
#3. Remember that this journal is just for you. Journaling should be about practice, growth, and exploration. Don’t make it a big deal, don’t stress about it, and don’t try too hard. Use it to record notes, colors, ideas, or dreams. Use it to experiment new techniques, try out new mediums, and to just play. Don’t try to make your pages perfect, and don’t ever compare it to someone else’s journal.
#4. Make it a habit. Don’t wait for a large chunk of time to do a page. Don’t think, “oh I’ll do a page when I have more time”. Make time. Even if its just 10 minutes. If you wait, it will only seem like a chore and you will be less likely to open it again. If you’re just starting out, make a point to open it everyday, even if its just to make a small doodle. It will be hard to get in the habit of using it at first, but if you keep at it, it will soon become natural to you.
#5. Don’t give up. Not ever. At first, journaling may seem like a chore. But the more you do it, and the more of a habit it becomes; the more you will come to love it and the more it will come to help you with your creativity. Your first few pages (or maybe even first few hundred) will not be “picture perfect”. You may even feel some frustration that you cannot produce what you are envisioning. But this is normal, and in time you will get better and better, and come to love your journals.
What makes it difficult for you to journal daily? Do you have any tips for overcoming these obstacles? Leave a comment below!
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